It was another frustrating afternoon for Hednesford Town on their travels, as a poor first half defensive display was punished by some sharp finishing which left them with too much to do in the second period.
After a bright start, in the wet and windy conditions which had led to two pitch inspections in the morning, a cross into the Hednesford penalty box was not cleared and the ball ricocheted to Marc Newsham who finished smartly on nine minutes to give his side the lead.
Hednesford goalkeeper Dan Crane was called into action again a few minutes later, saving from the Gainsborough man of the match, Liam Davis, as the home side looked to extend their advantage.
The Pitmen were desperately trying to get their foot on the ball and forced two half chances around the 20 minute mark with Ahmed Obeng and Sean Williams both coming close without really testing home goalkeeper Jan Budtz.
In the 29th minute things went from bad to worse when Newsham got in front of young Hednesford defender Tyrone Williams to double the lead with a fine finish on the turn giving Crane no chance.
Six minutes later Obeng was denied again when Budtz stopped his goalbound effort right on the line.
As they looked for a way back into the game the Pitmen finished the first half strongly with loanee Tom Peers, who had joined the club the day before from Chester, coming close as he showed great composure in the box but fired his left foot shot straight at Budtz.
The half-time interval saw striker Kyle Perry being introduced for midfielder Kennedy Digie as the Pitmen desperately looked for a way back into the game and the big striker had two half chances but skewed his efforts wide on both occasions.
Manager Bernard McNally introduced another front man in Danico Johnson just after the hour mark but immediately after this change disaster struck for the visitors. A Gainsborough free kick crashed against the crossbar and when the ball was crossed back into the box Liam Davis reacted first to score the third to kill off any hopes of a revival in the 63rd minute.
Just after the restart some good play by the Pitmen put in Andy Todd and his searing 25 yard drive just missed the post with the home goalkeeper well beaten.
Hednesford were now getting much more of the possession, with the home side seemingly content to protect the three goal lead and it was no surprise when a cross into the box was headed home by Peers in the 86th minute, although Perry thought that he had got the final touch.
Soon afterwards the Pitmen went close again as first Budtz spilt a comfortable cross almost at the feet of Perry before another late effort fizzed wide of the upright.
Unfortunately, it was too little, too late as the damage had been done earlier with some lacklustre defending and the Pitmen must now turn their attentions to taking on Stafford Rangers in the Staffordshire Senior Cup on Tuesday evening at Marston Road.
Gainsborough Trinity: Budtz, Roma, Lacey, Brogan, D’Laryea, Picton, Russell (Binns 82), Davis (Drury 79), Newsham, Jarman, Yates
Subs not used: Stamp, Wilson, Hedge
Hednesford Town: Crane, Disney, Regan (James 75), Bailey, T Williams, Digie (Perry 46), S Williams, Thomas, Peers, Obeng (Johnson 63), Todd
Subs not used: Ennis, Trainer
Attendance: 361
Star Man: Sean Williams
Entertainment Rating: Two Stars
